The Ford Focus Electric is Now the Cheapest Car in America

The Ford Focus Electric is one of the most unloved models in North America right now, and its lonely existence translates into big savings for thrifty shoppers willing to make due with a less-capable EV. Ford cut $6,000 from the car's price in 2015, and sales continued to fall despite a $4,000 price reduction the year before. You can also lease one right now for little more than a smile and a handshake.

Electric cars remain a difficult sell, especially considering there is always something better right around the corner, but leasing them is exceptionally popular — comprising roughly three-quarters of the EV market. It makes sense when lease-rate comparisons typically work out to EVs being more affordable than a similarly priced internal combustion vehicle. 

Eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit and $2,500 clean vehicle rebate in California, leftover 2016 Focus Electrics can be leased at $119 a month over a 36-month term with only $669 down. According to CarsDirect, this month saw an impressive swell of discounts up to $15,000. The resulting $50 per month drop and $1,330 less due at signing makes this the cheapest EV on market.

In fact, it's the cheapest lease deal CarsDirect could find among 420 vehicles of all types.

Also unbelievably low is its 76 mile range. The 2016 Focus Electric is a technological dinosaur and, despite being slightly more fun to drive, it hasn't aged any better than the 2016 Nissan's Leaf. Nissan's venerable EV can be scooped up for $199 a month and $1,999 down, or a little less if you remind dealers that it's now the older uglier model with a tepid 84 mile range. (For 2017, Ford has bumped up the EV's range to an even 100 miles.)

The 2016 Kia Soul EV is also priced slightly below dirt this month. California-specific EV models are set at $169 for 39 months after the buyer puts down $999.

Because federal, state, and local incentives are rolled into the price of a lease, along with any discounts applied by the manufacturer or dealer, a $30,000 dollar EV can be priced below a $16,000 gas burner. So, if you are in the market to lease and don't need to grind through a lot of miles during your daily commute, electrics can be among the more affordable options — especially if you live on the West Coast.

[Image: Ford Motor Co.]

Source: The Ford Focus Electric is Now the Cheapest Car in America

Hyundai Ioniq looks set to spark up the Kiwi electric vehicle market

Watch as we drive the Hyundai Ioniq EV far, far away from a charging point.

Hyundai is about to make fully electric motoring far more affordable in New Zealand with the launch of a brand-new electric car called Ioniq.

The five-door liftback, which is about the same size as a Hyundai Elantra, is to go on sale with an entry price of $59,990 - thousands of dollars less than the EVs that have entered the Kiwi new-vehicle market so far. Hyundai claims a real-world range of 200km.

At the same time Hyundai NZ is launching a petrol-electric hybrid version of the Ioniq, which will have prices starting at $46,990 which will also undercut other similarly sized new hybrids on sale here.

Ioniq comes with three different powertrains: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and this pure-electric EV with 200km range.

In addition, the company plans to add a plug-in hybrid model later in the year.

READ MORE:* Hyundai NZ launching electric, eclectic and exciting small cars in 2017* Move over Prius, here comes the Hyundai Ioniq​* ​Alternative power stars at Geneva Motor Show

Cabin is deliberately conventional. EV version gets copper accents inside and out... to symbolise electric wiring.

Details of this three-pronged sortie into the EV scene using a single model, were outlined at a media briefing in Queenstown on Wednesday.

Hyundai NZ sales and marketing manager Scott Billman has described the arrival of the Ioniq as possibly the most important event in the company's history, because it will allow Hyundai to become a strong part of forecast rapid growth of electric vehicles.

"The Government wants to see a doubling of the number of EVs in New Zealand every year, with a target of 64,000 units by 2021," he told journalists.

Combined CCS system allows for fast DC charging. Will be compatible with NZ's coming 'electric highway'.

"In recent times there has been quite a bit of noise about this plan. Now the noise is getting louder - many companies are committing to the strategy.

Ad Feedback

"Corporate NZ is taking a stance, with more than 30 well-known companies pledging to have EVs comprising at least 30 per cent of their vehicle fleets by 2019.

"So there's now a real drive to make the change to EVs - and our intention is to be a part of it all."

Two hybrid versions of the Ioniq are being introduced; an entry model priced at $46,990 which is about $1000 less than an equivalent Toyota Prius, and a higher-specified Elite which enters the market at $52,990.

Powered by a 1.6-litre direct-injected Atkinson Cycle engine mated to a high-efficiency electric motor, the vehicle offers a total of 104kW of power and 265Nm of torque.

The big news is the fully electric model, which arrives at $59,990 for an entry model and $65,990 for an Elite - prices well below the likes of the BMW i3 and the Renault Zoe, both of which have retail prices into the $70,000s.

This car, which is easily distinguishable from the hybrid model because its lack of an internal combustion engine means it can have a solid frontal design rather than a grille, offers 88kW of power and 295Nm of torque.

Billman told journalists the new Ioniq EV offers real potential for two major reasons - its entry price point is below $60,000, and its range on a full charge is up to 200km, which is easily enough for the average daily commute.

"It's also a conventional-looking car, largely fit for purpose," he said. "As a result we have unprecedented feedback from fleet customers. I can't remember such positive feedback before."

 - Stuff

Source: Hyundai Ioniq looks set to spark up the Kiwi electric vehicle market

Hyundai Ioniq Electric Will Be Available For Sale In US This Week

Cars

Published on February 7th, 2017 | by Steve Hanley

February 7th, 2017 by Steve Hanley 

Originally published on Gas2.

Hyundai announced last year that the hybrid and battery electric versions of the Ioniq would go on sale in America during the winter. The Ioniq will offer customers three power train choices — a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and a battery electric. Winter is with us for another 6 weeks, according to the calendar. Mike O'Brien, vice president-product planning for Hyundai Motor America, says the Ioniq Hybrid and Electric will go on sale next week.

O'Brien says, "Our focus was on developing a great compact car that happens to be electrified. There were around 1.1 million buyers who shopped for an EV last year, but because of cost or maintenance or durability…or that they felt the car was too underpowered…they didn't buy one. We are offering a no-excuse electrified vehicle that measures up to compact vehicles in the segment."

It is that a way of responding to Elon Musk's challenge to other manufacturers to build "compelling" electric cars? It sure sounds like it. Prices for the Ioniq Electric have not been announced. That information will be coming along shortly, but the price will likely undercut other similar cars by a significant margin. Hyundai's corporate sibling, Kia, has priced its new Niro Hybrid thousands less than a comparable Prius or Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid. The Kia Niro starts at around $22,000.

O'Brien says the Ioniq Electric will undergo a "soft launch" for now. A more robust marketing campaign is planned for later in March. One way Hyundai will keep the price of its new electric car low is by limiting the size of its battery to 28 kWh. So equipped, it earns a 150 MPGe rating from the EPA — which makes it the most energy efficient car sold in the US. The Toyota Prius Prime is next with a rating of 133 MPGe.

Officially, range for the Ioniq is listed as 135 miles city, 110 miles highway, and 124 miles combined. Is that going to be a problem for consumers? It shouldn't be. The average US driver only goes less than 50 miles a day, meaning the Ioniq Electric will have more than enough range for the needs of most drivers. Dedicated Tesla fan Bjorn Nyland test drove one recently in Europe and gave it a rave review, calling it almost as good as his Tesla in some respects.

Still, people seem to have the notion that they "need" 200 miles of range, just as many believe they absolutely "need" the power of a V8 engine. But if the Ioniq Electric is indeed competitive with the price of other compact cars, that objection may be easily overcome.

Source: Inside EVs

Reprinted with permission.

Buy a cool T-shirt or mug in the CleanTechnica store! Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter.

Tags: Hyundai, Hyundai IONIQ

About the Author

Steve Hanley writes about the interface between technology and sustainability from his home in Rhode Island. You can follow him on Google + and on Twitter.

Source: Hyundai Ioniq Electric Will Be Available For Sale In US This Week

What road lies ahead for Juneau’s electric cars?

A drone shot of Juneau's electric vehicle get together. (Photo: Gabe Strong)

Juneau's privately-owned electric utility is trying to plan for a future that includes more electric cars. It's estimated there are over 100 fully electric vehicles in the city, with one or two arriving by ferry or barge each week. Even Teslas — the Porsche of electric vehicles — have been spotted in the capital city. As this new reality sets in, the state's regulatory commission is taking a closer look. It'll be reviewing how the utility is responding to its ratepayers and the influx of electric cars.

Juneau's car dealerships don't sell fully electric vehicles (EVs). There's no tax break for buying one here, like in Washington state. But Devon Kibby, the president of Juneau's Electric Vehicle Association, said that hasn't slowed the momentum.

"Even without these incentives, people are still buying electric vehicles," Kibby said.

Juneau's electric utility, Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P), is trying to figure out a way to incentivize those drivers to charge at night. That's when the least amount of electricity is being used, so the cars are less of a burden on the the grid.

In November, the utility filed a request with the state's regulatory commission to offer a cheaper rate to electric vehicle owners who plug-in during those times — a program they could opt into.

"It's not necessarily a bad deal. It by no means is a bad deal," Kibby said. "We're just wondering if there's another way to allocate the benefits to better help EV adoption in Juneau."

In January, The state's regulatory commission approved AEL&P's nighttime charging rate. But the agency is also investigating how the utility makes those decisions. Kibby said the electric vehicle association wants a seat at the table, too. They want to ensure that best framework is being created to support the growing number of electric cars.

Kibby thinks the utility should offer the same nighttime charging hours, like its previous experimental program, and provide affordable limited energy from public fast-charging stations during the day.

"One of the things that often comes up when we have an incentive rate programs is that all customers are treated fairly by the proposal," said Alec Mesdag, a director at AEL&P.

The fast chargers can juice a Nissan Leaf in about 20 minutes, lessening the dreaded range-anxiety. With a typical charger — there are 10 of them in town — that can take about four hours.

The utility's Washington-based parent company, Avista, has installed fast chargers for electric cars down South. But Mesdag said Washington has a very different regulatory environment than Alaska. Namely, the Washington legislature passed a bill making it OK for the utility to pass on that expense to ratepayers.

Even though there are several electric vehicles in Juneau, Mesdag said, that doesn't mean there's the same type of demands as other cities.

"What we don't have in Juneau is a large number of people who would need to utilize that infrastructure," Mesdag said. "The current owners of electric vehicle owners find it more convenient to charge at home because they typically have off street parking."

Mesdag thinks there's still a lot to learn as more electric vehicles cruise into town.

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska is trying to navigate the new environment, too. Its next meeting on the matter is Friday, Feb. 10.

Source: What road lies ahead for Juneau's electric cars?

Apple Electric Car Re-Imagined As Classic Apple Products

10 hours ago by Steven Loveday

Macintosh Apple Electric Car: Retro is in style right? Cars did sort of look like this back in 1984. Or maybe we're thinking of something from Star Wars. (via ClickMechanic)

Unfortunately for fans, Apple Electric Car news has come to a screeching halt as of late. The only "news" that we tend to see is speculation, or fun renderings. Yet another publication has made an attempt to create some insight into what the secretive Project Titan team may be conjuring up.

ClickMechanic (who fancy themselves as "The Best Mechanic Network In The UK") wants us to envision what an Apple Electric Car might look like, if engineers based it on some of the company's class iconic products. Though quite silly, it's a fun concept. Just like any other automaker, a "concept" is a "concept," but there's still hope for a production level model down the road.

Based on the MacBook Pro's predecessor, the PowerBook G4, this beast looks tough as well as fast. It takes its design cues from the computer's titanium body and stellar performance. (via ClickMechanic)

Perhaps the most memorable and iconic of all of Apple's computers, the 1998 G3 came in multiple colors: blueberry, lime, tangerine, strawberry, and grape. This looks reminiscent of the earlier Apple Car renderings we have come to know. (via ClickMechanic)

How about an Apple Car Air. Light, slim, and surely fast. It is likely the Supercar of the bunch. It could be healthy competition with BMW's i8, and it is assumed that Apple would give us a few more all-electric miles! (via ClickMechanic)

Nothing quite like a jet black iPhone 7. If you could actually fit people in this one it would be fantastic, because it would probably have an enormous range. However, the lithium-ion battery would probably be all that would fit. Maybe you could lie down as it drives itself. (via ClickMechanic)

Eh … Apple Car where art thou? Grace us with thy true presence.

Source & Images: ClickMechanic

Tags: apple, apple car, Apple Car Re-Imagined, apple electric car, Classic Apple Products, Project titan

Get Updates

Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates.

Source: Apple Electric Car Re-Imagined As Classic Apple Products

Advocates want to put charging stations around N.D. to boost electric cars

Citizens Local Action Energy Network, or CLEAN, based in Fargo, has applied for a grant under Volkswagen's $11 billion settlement that allocates $7.5 million for North Dakota projects that reduce automobile tailpipe emissions.

Members of CLEAN believe a network of charging stations, located along Interstates 29 and 94 as well as U.S. Highway 2, would encourage motorists to switch to electric vehicles.

"The idea is it will facilitate sale of electric vehicles and therefore reduce the emissions," said Paul Jensen, a member of CLEAN.

Of North Dakota's $7.5 million allocation under the Volkswagen settlement, 15 percent must go toward infrastructure to support clean energy projects, he said.

In Fargo, the group is recommending charging stations at West Acres Mall and the Roberts Ramp under construction downtown.

The group also proposes charging stations along I-94 in Jamestown, Bismarck, Dickinson and Beach; along I-29, charging stations would be built in Pembina, Grand Forks and Hankinson; along Highway 2, in Devils Lake, Rugby, Minot, New Town, with alternatives in Stanley or Williston.

Fargo and West Fargo already have several charging stations. Chargers are located at Element Hotel, 925 19th Ave. E., West Fargo; Happy Harry's Bottle Shop, 4001 53rd Ave. S., Fargo; Gateway Nissan, 441 38th St. S., Fargo; and West Acres.

The equipment cost for a fast-charging station is $30,000 to $35,000, with another $10,000 or $15,000 for installation, said Jensen, who is a green energy consultant.

"The price is continuously going down," he said.

John Bagu, a member of the group, leases a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle, and said they are more economical to drive than gasoline-powered cars. He and his wife also own a gas-powered car, which they use for long trips and as a second vehicle.

By his calculations, assuming gas at $2 per gallon, drivers in Fargo and Cass County spend $300 million a year on gas; that figure increases to $500 million per year if gas reaches $3.50 per gallon.

Bagu said his electric car costs a "fraction" of what it costs to fill the tank with gas, about $3 for a charge. "Imagine going to a gas station and paying $3 to fuel up," he said.

It's also more fun to drive, a source of rivalry with his wife, who also prefers driving their electric car.

"Now we literally fight over it," he said. "The loser gets to drive our gas vehicle."

Bagu, who has equipped his Fargo home with solar panels and generates his own electricity, estimates there are half a dozen electric vehicles in Fargo, while Jensen estimates there are 50 around North Dakota.

But both said the technology is rapidly advancing and costs are going down. They predict electric vehicles will be widely adopted in time.

South Dakota has placed electric charging stations along Interstate 90, a major tourist highway, said Ed Gruchalla, another CLEAN member.

"They put the chargers in there so people can drive through the state," he said, noting I-90 is a common route to the Black Hills.

North Dakota's tourism industry also could benefit from having a network of charging stations to accommodate electric cars, said Mike Williams, a former Fargo city commissioner and a supporter of the proposal.

"It would help the tourism a lot," he said.

Source: Advocates want to put charging stations around N.D. to boost electric cars

Car Talk: Electric cars are indeed net Earth-friendly

Dear Car Talk:

I recently began driving an all-electric car, thinking I was reducing the negative environmental impact of driving. A co-worker has confronted me by saying that I am actually doing more harm than good, due to the rare earth metals needed for the batteries. He says, furthermore, that when the car has lived out its life, the disposal will be especially troublesome for the environment. What is your opinion? Did I make a mistake by going to an all-electric car? — Paul

I think the mistake you made was listening to that co-worker, Paul. I believe his conclusion is pretty much all wrong.

Electric vehicles do not have "zero impact" on the environment; there's no question about that. But they have less of an impact than gasoline-powered cars. First of all, it's cleaner and more efficient to produce power at a central location (a power plant) than it is to produce power in everybody's individual cars.

It's also easier to clean up, maintain and monitor one smokestack (the power plant's) than it is to do those things for a million smokestacks (all of our tailpipes). And even if you're charging your car from the dirtiest power plant, running on 100 percent coal, electric-car expert (and, to be fair, advocate) Jim Motavalli says you'd still reduce climate emissions by 30 to 40 percent over individual gasoline-powered cars.

And, of course, not all of our power plants are run on coal: We have a mix of coal, natural gas, nuclear and, increasingly, wind and solar now. Plus, our power plants have slowly been getting cleaner. And if the whole electric grid continues to move toward cleaner fuels, that will only make the argument for electrification stronger.

As far as the rare earth metals go, I'm sure there are some ugly things being done as companies dig lithium out of the ground in China, Chile and Australia. But what your friend failed to mention is that all of the batteries that are used in hybrids and EVs today are recycled when they reach the end of their lives.

Those components are still very valuable. So the manufacturer will give you a huge credit for returning the old battery pack when you buy a new one. And it will reuse everything it can.

Then there are smaller environmental benefits, such as not having someone's exhaust blowing into your passenger compartment while you sit behind him in traffic. And not breathing gasoline vapors at the pump every time you refuel.

So I think you are a net positive for the environment. Not to mention that you're paying a third of the price per mile for electricity that your buddies are paying for gas.

So we would encourage you to feel rightly smug about your electric-car purchase.

Got a question about cars? Email by visiting the Car Talk website at www.cartalk.com.

Source: Car Talk: Electric cars are indeed net Earth-friendly